Wednesday, August 8, 2018

ASIPULO, Ifugao - -Various government and non-government agencies and other health care providers conducted a one-day peace caravan in this municipality on August 4 serving about 500 folks of Nangkatengey, Namal and other nearby barangays.

Nangkatengey is about one-hour ride or three and one- half hours hike from the Poblacion of Asipulo town and development of farm-to-market road is underway through the local government unit.

The said event was spearheaded by the 54th Infantry Battalion, in partnership with the different government line agencies, LGUs of Ifugao and Mountain Province and civil-society organizations.

The 54th Infantry Battalion, in partnership with other government and non-government organizations, holds outreach activities at Nangkatengey, Namal, Asipulo serving about 500 residents of said place and nearby barangays. (MBL- PIA CAR, Ifugao)Activities conducted include the mass surrender and oath taking of 14 alleged Militia ng Bayan members and six New People’s Army (NPA) supporters, medical and dental consultation with tooth extraction, circumcision/minor surgical operation, blood typing and distribution of free medicines.

Lt. Col. Narciso Nabulneg, Jr. said the activity forms part of the Community Support Program (CSP) in the barangays advocated by Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) which aims to deliver basic services and bring the government closer to the people especially in far flung barangays or geographically isolated and distressed areas.

“The event is a good manifestation that the whole of government approach can be at hand through the intensified stakeholders’ engagement which further attains the AFP’s advocacy for a peaceful, developed and progressive community. I also encourage other NGOs who are advocating the same activity to converge with us and share our common goals to the community in order to have a one stop shop in future undertakings,” Nabulneg added.

Asipulo Mayor Armado Domilod said the municipal government, in partnership with other service providers, is doing its best to provide the necessary services to the community especially the construction of farm to market roads that would help them uplift their living condition.

Meanwhile, an information education campaign was conducted by government agencies like the Department of Education, Philippine National Police, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office, Department of Health, LGU-Asipulo, Bureau of Fire Protection, Department of Interior and Local Government, Philippine Information Agency and Philippine Red Cross.

CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela – Another group of New Peoples’ Army (NPA) rebels and their supporters surrendered to authorities at the Tinoc municipal hall in Tinoc, Ifugao last Monday, a belated military report stated.

Lieutenant Colonel Narciso B. Nabulneg Jr., commander of the Philippine Army’s 54th Infantry Battalion, on Wednesday said the latest batch of surrenderees is composed of six NPA rebels and 11 local supporters from the villages of Tinoc town.

“This new batch of rebels and their supporters voluntarily surrendered to our teams facilitating the Community Support Program (CSP), after having a dialogue with the community about the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program in the said town,” Nabulneg said.

“A few days ago, 14 rebels and six followers surfaced in Barangay Namal, Asipulo of the same province with the assistance of the CSP Teams thereat bringing the surrenderees to 37 in less than a week,” he added.

Major General Perfecto M. Rimando Jr., the commander of the Philippine Army’s 5th Infantry Division, expressed his appreciation to the CSP Teams of the 54th IB.

“I commend the leadership of the 54IB for their excellent job of breaking the long chain of CNT mass-base in the municipalities of Tinoc and Asipulo. My great appreciation also goes to the local leadership of Tinoc and Asipulo for assisting and supporting their constituents. This only manifests that, if the LGUs and the people will involve themselves in our effort to combat the rebels, we will win and achieve the long-lasting peace in the countryside,” Rimando said.

“As we expressed our support for the localized peace talks, we will unrelentingly pursue the enemies of the Filipino people – the rebels, until they voluntarily surrender or the hands of justice will be served to them,” Rimando added.

The Department of Justice (DOJ) on Wednesday said it remains confident of its proscription case to have the Communist Party of the Philippines and New People’s Army (CPP-NPA) declared as terrorist organizations, despite a Manila court’s ruling that cleared several individuals with alleged ties to the rebel group.

Justice Secretary Menardo Guevarra said the case, after all, is against the CPP-NPA as entities, not against any of its individual members.

“The fact of the matter is that these individuals are not really the party respondents. It’s the CPP and the NPA that are sought to be declared as terrorist organizations. It is these entities, not the named individuals, who are the party-respondents in the petition to declare them as terrorist organizations,” Guevarra said in a text message.

Acting Prosecutor General Richard Anthony Fadullon said, “The declaration by the court of some personalities as non-parties will not have any bearing on the outcome of the [case].”

In its petition, the DOJ said the CPP-NPA were organized for the purpose of “engaging in terrorism,” and cited 12 “terror activities” and “atrocities” it perpetrated in Negros Occidental and Oriental, Surigao, Misamis, Bukidnon, Cagayan de Oro City, and Davao from June 30, 2016 up to February this year.

The petition gave a historical narrative of the two organizations, including its “purging” phase in the 1980’s against suspected government spies and “undesirables.”

Malacañang’s order to formally declare the CPP-NPA as terrorist organizations came in the wake of the collapse of its peace talks with the Reds, as government slammed the groups for its attacks despite the ongoing talks.

Duterte signed Proclamation No. 360 on November 23, 2017, declaring the termination of peace negotiations with the National Democratic Front-CPP-NPA.

“[I]n spite of the best efforts exerted by this administration, the NDF-CPP-NPA failed to show its sincerity and commitment in pursuing genuine and meaningful peace negotiations as it engaged in acts of violence and hostilities endangering the lives and properties of innocent people," it read.

On December 5, 2017, Duterte issued Proclamation No. 374, declaring the CPP and NPA as terrorist organizations under RA No. 10168, also known as The Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppresion Act of 2012.

Guevarra and Fadullon said the list of individuals, including Ocampo, Baylosis, Corpuz, and Molintas, with alleged links to the CPP-NPA was merely for the purpose of service of summons to the two organizations.

“The respondents are the CPP and the NPA, whom the government wants to be declared as terrorist organizations. But where are their principal places of ‘business?’ Who are their responsible officers on whom summons may be served?" Guevarra said.

"So the DOJ mentioned the names of certain persons identified by our intelligence agencies as having links with the CPP and the NPA, in the hope that these people will answer the petition on behalf of the respondent organizations."

Fadullon said the DOJ "will just have to resort to causing the service of summons by publication.”

This was also in the RTC resolution, when the court said it was directing the DOJ “to cause service of summons to respondent organizations CPP and NPA by publication in a newspaper of general circulation.”

Should the court grant the DOJ’s petition, the department said its prosecution of cases against CPP-NPA members will be facilitated by the proscription, coupled with other supporting evidence to warrant their conviction in court.

The chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission on Monday said more work to be done, now that the Bangsamoro Organic Law has been signed.

Speaking on ANC, Ghazali Jaafar said they are ready to face challenges in the implementation of the law.

Among these is the preparation for the plebiscite to be held in the Bangsamoro area.

"Well, thinking of positive challenges. After the presentation of the organic, the Bangsamoro Organic Law by our president to us, I think we have to prepare ourselves for another tedious, long work ahead in preparation for the incoming plebiscite to be held in the area where the Bangsamoro Organic Law will be held, in the five provinces of the Autonomous Region (in Muslim Mindanao) now and in the cities of Basilan and Cotabato, and to include six towns in Lanao del Norte and 39 barangays in North Cotabato," he explained.

Jaafar also said they are ready to face those who are against the new law.

"Negative challenges, we are expecting also because I think there are few individuals and personalities who have probably different opinion regarding the autonomous Bangsamoro Basic Law and I think they are expected to do something, you know, to make public their displeasure," he said.

"We've been hearing also information that there are those who are contemplating to fight, petition in the Supreme Court, questioning the Bangsamoro Organic Law," Jaafar added.

Jaafar said the commission is ready to implement the BOL.

"As far as we are concerned, we are ready. Now that the Bangsamoro Organic Law is signed into law and approved by your president and submitted to us and officially inform the President that as far as the leadership of the MILF is concerned, we are accepting the Bangsamoro Organic Law, and therefore, after this, we will be going around to conduct advocacy to our people and to the leaders in the area," he said.

President Rodrigo Duterte signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law on June 27 and the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, the largest Moro rebel group, will have 90 days to convince stakeholders to vote for the ratification of the law.

Duterte's predecessor, Benigno Aquino III, forged the peace agreement with the MILF in 2014 but failed to get Congress to pass the law when he stepped down in 2016.

The 16th Congress halted debates due to public outrage over the deaths of 44 police commandos in a botched anti-terrorism raid in Mamasapano, Maguindanao in January 2015, wherein some MILF members were accused of involvement.

Some provisions in the Bangsamoro law's earlier versions also faced questions on constitutionality.

Duterte, the first Mindanaoan president, breathed new life into the Bangsamoro law, as he expanded the Bangsamoro Transition Commission which then went back to the drawing board and produced the proposed measure that the 17th Congress tackled and passed.

From ABS-CBN (Aug 8): Jaafar asks critics to give Bangsamoro law a chance

The chairman of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission appealed to those planning to disrupt the implementation of the Bangsamoro Organic Law to give the measure a chance.

Ghazali Jaafar, who is also the vice chairman of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said on ANC's The Bureau Tuesday that critics should instead support the BOL, since the MILF does not have the intention to monopolize powers in the government.

"I think we will have to appeal to them. As a matter of fact, I am now appealing to them, in behalf of the Bangsamoro Transition Commission, and even on behalf of the leadership of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front, as its vice chairman, and on behalf of the Moro people, and the Christians living there, the IPs, to instead of disrupting, then I think it would be most advantageous and fruitful for everyone of us that they support us because I think, our appeal to them is let us give a chance to the Bangsamoro Organic Law to be implemented and when the government is already operating, everyone, supposed to be, cooperate, for after all, this government is not inclusive to the MILF or the MNLF. We do not have any intention of monopolizing the government. This government is for everybody," he said.

Jaafar added that everyone in the region can be part of the government.

"We do not have any intention of monopolizing the government. This government is for everybody. And everyone of the citizens of the region can be a leader of the government," he added.

The government of Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is offering cash and livelihood to lure leftist rebels to abandon the armed struggle and start a new life, according government information posted online on Wednesday.

The government has created a coordinating body, Task Force Balik-Loob, tasked to implement its fresh efforts to reintegrate former rebels into the society.

The program pursues a comprehensive, integrated, community-based national program that is locally-implemented to address the legal status and security of former rebels as well as their economic, social, psychological rehabilitation need.

Duterte has decided to pursue localized peace talks with the New People's Army (NPA) rebels after formal talks with the National Democratic Front (NDF) crumbled in June. The NDF is representing the Communist Party of the Philippines (CPP) and its armed wing, the NPAs.

The Task Force Balik-Loob has published the benefits that surrendering rebels can avail of under the so-called Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP).

Aside from the monetary incentives, returning rebels will also be paid for every firearms, explosives and ammunitions that they return to the government. "The amount will depend on the condition of the firearms," the body said in its posters.

The government accepts any kind of firearms, according to the poster, including revolver, pistol, shotgun, sub-machine gun, light machine gun, heavy machine gun, grenade launcher, rifle, vintage firearms and even "home-made" guns called "paltik."

Returnees can also get modified conditional cash transfer, housing access to government services, college tuition and stipend, medical assistance, legal assistance and psychosocial assistance.

The Duterte administration has shifted to talk to local NPA commanders after talks with the CPP collapsed.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque has earlier said that localized talks are "nationally orchestrated, centrally directed, and locally supervised and implemented," adding that "the constitutional integrity and sovereignty will not be compromised."

"(The aim is) complete and genuine resolution of the local armed conflict. It shall cover the NPA (cadres)," Roque added.

The CPP began its armed struggle in 1969. It has launched ambuscades since in an effort to overthrow the government through guerrilla warfare.

The rebellion reached its peak in 1987 when it boasted 26,000 armed guerrillas. However, the movement has since dwindled due to differences in strategy and tactics and the arrests of many of its top leaders in the late 1980s.

At present the military estimates these armed rebels at around 4,000.

Peace negotiations with the rebels were suspended in 2011. Duterte revived the talks when he assumed office in June 2016.

Villanueva said both were alleged leaders of the lawless group and supporters of the Maute-ISIS terrorist operating in Lanao del Sur who were targets of the AFP operation on July 26, 2018 but managed to escape.

Others who surrendered were family members Omair Amembering, Amir M Salik, Andy Salem Amembering, Zolaica Amatonding, and Norman Fatima Casan.They are likewise alleged to be Maute-ISIS group supporters in the area. They surrendered high-powered firearms and other war materiel which include a cal 7.62mm M14, two caliber 5.56mm M16A1 rifles, a steel magazine for M14, two magazines long steel for M16, 16 rounds of ammunitions for cal 7.62mm and nine rounds for cal 5.56mm.

Members of Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters walk with their commander, Ameril Umbra Kato, (right) for a news interview in the in southern Philippine province of Maguindanao, Feb. 10, 2011.

Two suspected Filipino Islamic militants trying to sneak a bomb into a populated area were killed in a predawn gunbattle with the military in the southern Philippines, officials said Wednesday, days after a deadly suicide bomb attack left 10 dead elsewhere in the south.

Soldiers were manning a security checkpoint going into M’lang town in North Cotabato province when they intercepted two members of the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters (BIFF) riding on a motorcycle, regional army chief Brig. Gen. Cirilito Sobejana said.

A brief gunbattle ensued that led to the killing of Allen Nords Salbo and Saligan Patrick Ali. Officials said they were BIFF fighters.

“Our troops recovered a black sling bag containing a homemade bomb. We detonated the bomb,” Sobejana said.The device was made from a 60 mm mortar projectile attached to a mobile phone, a common bomb that the militants in the area use in attacks.

“We have information that BIFF will carry out bomb attacks, so we tightened our security,” Sobejana said.

Composed of dozens of fighters, BIFF is a splinter group of the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), once the country’s largest separatist force that gave up the fight for independence in exchange for autonomy.

BIFF later pledged allegiance to the Islamic State, but did not send fighters to Marawi last year, when local IS commander Isnilon Hapilon led a five-month siege that left at least 1,200 people dead. Hapilon was among those killed in October along with several fighters from Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

Bomb components are seen on the ground after Philippine security forces killed two suspected members of the IS-affiliated Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters in the southern Philippine town of M'lang, Aug. 8. 2018. [HO/Philippine Army 6ID]

President Rodrigo Duterte last month signed the Bangsamoro Organic Law, four years after the government reached a peace deal with MILF to address extremism in the region and address long-standing grievances of the minority Muslims.

Under the pact, areas dominated by Muslims are to elect a parliament in hopes of ending almost a half-century of insurgency that left thousands dead and deep poverty in many parts of the mineral-rich region.

But just days after the law was passed, a bomb went off at a police checkpoint on Basilan island, killing 10.

The military initially suspected the extremist Abu Sayyaf group as behind the attack, but IS later took responsibility, saying it was carried out by a Moroccan national.

Authorities in Manila have said initial results of the investigation have been inconclusive, but the military arrested a local Muslim cleric in Basilan who allegedly helped foreign fighters gain entry into Basilan, a jungle-clad territory and the birthplace of the Abu Sayyaf.

Founded in the early 1990s, Abu Sayyaf is notorious for kidnappings, bombings and beheadings in southern Philippines during the past two decades.

The group was blacklisted by the United States as a foreign terrorist organization. It continues to hold several foreigners and Filipinos hostage after beheading a German captive and two Canadian hostages in the past two years.

FORT ANDRES BONIFACIO, Taguig City (DWDD) – The Philippine Army recently activated the Office of the Army Financial Management in a simple ceremony on August 01, 2018 at Ricarte Hall, Philippine Army Officers Clubhouse, Fort Andres Bonifacio, Metro Manila with the Vice Commander Major General Robert M Arevalo AFP as presiding officer.

The Office of the Army Financial Management shall serve as the adviser of the Commanding General, PA on matters pertaining to budget and fiscal operations and shall also facilitate the execution of the Army appropriated and non-appropriated funds. The activation simplifies the process and management of the Philippine Army financial and budgeting system which were formerly being undertaken by the Management and Fiscal Office and Army Resource Management Office.

Other important functions of the OAFM are the formulation and preparation of the Annual PA Budget Proposal and Budgetary requirements, development of PA Annual Plan and Budget and operationalization of the Program and Budget Advisory Boards and Committees.

This initiative is part of the Army’s continuous improvement of its system and processes and in pursuit of transformation effort to be a world class Army by 2028. OACPA / MCAG

CAMP GEN EMILIO AGUINALDO, Quezon City (DWDD) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) officially conducted the highly-regarded AFP Joint Exercise 2018 dubbed as Dagat, Langit at Lupa (DAGIT-PA) which started last July 23 up to August 03 concluded in the different areas of Palawan, Zambales and Nueva Ecija.

The goal of the emphatic training is to enhance and equip the personnel and unit capacities of joint forces that will surely enable the essence of readiness to address contingencies across mission areas. Organized workshop were all carefully planned and progressively sequenced in such a way that an event or an activity will lead to the other benefited more than one component.

Hence, the Philippine Air Force which refers to the word ”Langit alongside with its counterpart from the Philippine Army and Philippine Navy which refers to Lupa’ and ‘Dagat, had executed astounding death-defying operational capabilities and readiness unilateral, focusing on the development of the AFP on Joint Operations.

The AFP joint forces is set to become a complete synergy apt and in position to protect our land and the people. Moreover, with the improved and upgraded AFP capabilities, jungle and urban fighting both for day and night will never be the same again. PAF PIO / Photo by: Msg Bruna PAF and A1C Balunes PAF / MCAG

MLANG, North Cotabato (DWDD) – The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has identified the two (2) suspected bomb couriers earlier neutralized in Mlang North Cotabato.

In an interview by DWDD with 6th Infantry “Kampilan” Division commander Brigadier General Cirilito Sobejana, they have already identified the two suspects although it was withheld due to security reasons.

According to reports, soldiers of the 7th Infantry Battalion were conducting a military checkpoint along a road in Brgy Sangat when the suspects arrived on-board a motorcycle around 3:30 am. Instead of stopping, the suspects sped off while firing at the soldiers, who gave chase and returned fire thus killing the two suspected bomb courier.

MLANG, North Cotabato (DWDD) – Authorities were able to neutralize two (2) suspected bomb couriers in Mlang, North Cotabato.

According to North Cotabato PNP Spokesman Police Superintendent Bernard Tayong, the incident happened early morning of August 8, 2018 at Barangay Sangat.

Authorities were not able to immediately come close to the cadaver of the suspects because of the suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED) that they were carrying. The police ar still verifying the identity of the neutralized suspects.

According to reports, soldiers of the 7th Infantry Battalion were conducting a military checkpoint when the suspects arrived on-board a motorcycle. Instead of stopping, the suspects sped off while firing at the soldiers, who returned fire thus killing the two suspected bomb courier. ALS / AES / MCAG

DWDD AFP Civil Relations Service Radio Website (Aug 7): AFP spokesperson on the article published by Rappler

The news report that “Basilan under the state of calamity after military operations” that came out of Rappler news online by Richard Falcatan published 12:50PM of August 6, 2018 and updated 1:02PM August 6, 2018 (sic) is untrue.

The news report went on by saying that, “The provincial board of Basilan declared a state of calamity in the province Monday, August 6, upon the recommendation of the peace and order council.

This was after the Armed Forces of the Philippines launched massive operations in the municipality of Mohammad Ajul Municipality.”

The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has contacted Basilan Governor JIm Hataman-Salliman and he said that the declaration was due to the “cocolisap” infestation and the ensuing rice shortage. He denies though that it is due to the military operations that followed post the Lamitan City Blast.

We demand that Rappler rectify their misleading news report and validate their story with Basilan Governor Jim Hataman-Salliman.

FORT ANDRES BONIFACIO, Taguig City (DWDD) – The first leg of Brigade Commanders Forum came into conclusion with the Commanding General Philippine Army, Lieutenant General Rolando Joselito D. Bautista AFP as Keynote Speaker.

The activity with the theme “Convergence: A nexus for Peace and Development in the respective PA Brigade AOR” was held at Grand Regal Hotel, Davao City for four days.

The Brigade Commander’s Forum serves as a platform for experiential learning to Brigade Commanders as well as Regiment and Joint Task Force Commanders to share, reflect and develop innovative strategies in a multi-stakeholder operational environment and apply these strategies effectively to their respective AOR.

In his message, Lt. Gen. Bautista inspire the participants to constantly share productive exchange of best experiences, ideas and relentlessly impart innovativeness in order to become a more dynamic and tactical commanders of the Philippine Army. OACPA / MCAG

According to Lt. Col.Narciso B.Nabulneg Jr., Battalion Commander, 54th Infantry Battalion, the new batch of surrenderees is composed of six full-time MBs and 11 local supporters from the villages of Tinoc town. “This new batch of CNT–MB and their supporters voluntarily surrendered to our Teams facilitating theCommunity Support Program (CSP), after having dialogue with the community about the Enhanced-Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP) in the said town.” Lt. Col.NabulnegJr. said.

“Few days ago, 14 MBs and six CNT followers surfaced in Brgy. Namal, Asipulo of the same province with the assistance of the CSP Teams thereat bringing the surrenderees into 37 in less than a week.” Lt. Col.NabulnegJr. added.

Meanwhile, Maj Gen Perfecto M.Rimando Jr., Commander, 5th Infantry Division expressed his appreciation to the CSP Teams of 54IB. “I commend the leadership of the 54IB for their excellent jobof breaking the long chain of CNT mass based in the Municipalities of Tinoc and Asipulo. My great appreciation also goes to thelocal leadership of Tinoc and Asipuloby assisting and supporting their constituents.This only manifests that, if the LGUs and the people will involve themselves in our effort to combat the CNTs,we will win and achieve the long lasting peace in the countryside.” Maj Gen Rimando Jr. said.

“As we expressed our support for the localized peace talks, we will unrelentingly pursue the enemies of the Filipino People-the CNT, until they voluntarily surrender or the hands of justice will be served to them.” Maj Gen Rimando Jr., added.

Each MB is entitled to receive an Immediate Assistance under the Enhanced Comprehensive Local Integration Program (E-CLIP). 54IB / 5DPAO / MCAG

CAMP MELCHOR F DELA CRUZ, Gamu, Isabela (DWDD) – Troops under 95th Infantry Battalion overran a Communist-New Peoples’ Army-Terrorist (CNT) encampment guarded by more or less 20 CNT members after almost two hours of the fire fight at Brgy San Miguel, Echague, Isabela, around 12’ noon on Tuesday, August 7, 2018.

No casualty on the government side, while the enemy believed to have sustained casualties, but managed to be hauled by their fleeing comrades.

The operating troops recovered from the encounter site the following: five M16 Rifles; two bandoleers with magazines for M16; two Rifle Grenades; three Improvised Explosive Device; four detonating cords; seven blasting caps; one handheld radio; one chain saw; seven backpacks with personal belongings; two cell phones; assorted medicines and medical paraphernalia and subversive documents.

According to Lt Col NolitoAQuemi, Battalion Commander, 95IB, his troops were given information that a camp of the CNT was located nearby their location. “Our troops were approaching the target area when fired upon by the CNT. We manage to outflank the CNT and eventually overrun their encampment. They might carry their wounded comrades when they retreat, but they will not go far away. We expect to recover CNT bodies as we continue our operations.” Lt Col Quemi, said.

BGen Bartolome Vicente R BacarroJr, Commander, 502nd Infantry Brigade, who supervised the operations, said that, “the information leading to the successful operations came from the people where the teams of Community Support Program (CSP) are being deployed. The people tipped the CNT location because they were already tired with the presence of the CNT in their Barangay. We appreciated their courage and support.”

Meanwhile, Maj Gen Perfecto M RimandoJr, Commander, 5th Infantry Division commended the troops of the 95IB for their successful operation. “I commend the professionalism displayed by the troops of 95IB leading to the encounter,” he said.

“Our good relationship with the people are now bearing fruit. The surrender of 39 CNT- Militia ng Bayan (MB) and supporters from their former mass based on the past days, and now, this decisive encounter will inspire us to work even more to end the problem of terrorism in our jurisdiction.” Maj Gen RimandoJr, added.

“We also appeal to the rebels and their supporters in the area to help us help their wounded comrades. Our differences in ideologies should not prevent us from helping each other. Just send message to our troops and we will help your comrades get necessary medical attention. We are all Filipinos, remember that.” Maj Gen RimandoJr further said.

The 5ID remained committed to its vow to support and assist those CNT members who wish to surrender, and use all its resources to apply the hands of the law to those who still wishes to fight. 95IB / 5DPAO / MCAG

CAMP GEN SERVILLANO AQUINO, Tarlac City (DWDD) – Another group of People’s Militia (PM) / Milisyang Bayan (MB) and supporters of the Communist NPA Terrorist (CNT) Group in Ifugao surrender to the Local Government Unit (LGU) and Army units under the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) last August 6, 2018 (Monday).

Six (6) more members of the MB and eleven (11) CNT supporters/contacts yielded to authorities at 9:00 in the morning while a Community Dialogue was being conducted by the 54th Infantry Battalion (54IB) of 503rd Brigade under Joint Task Force (JTF) ” TALA” of the 5th Infantry Division (5ID) held at MSWD Center, Tinoc Town Hall, Tinoc, Ifugao.

The event was attended and witnessed by Tinoc Mayor Marcelo G Catalino, Vice Mayor Efren A Tacio, Sangguniang Bayan (SB) Members and Punong Barangays of Tokucan, Luhong and Danggo all of Tinoc, Ifugao.

It will be noted that last August 4 (Saturday), fourteen (14) MB members and six (6) CNT supporters also yielded in the adjacent town of Asipulo to the same Army unit conducting a Grand Caravan and Community Support Activities, wherein an M16 rifle was also surrendered.

NOLCOM will sustain the gains resulting from the conduct of Community Support Activities and Focus Military Operations (FMO) in NPA affected areas. In the same manner, NOLCOM will continue to collaborate and integrate its efforts with the Local Government Units (LGUs), Government Agencies and other stakeholders to achieve peace and development in the communities. NOLCOM / MCAG

CAMP GEN SERVILLANO AQUINO, Tarlac City (DWDD) – War materials of the Communist Terrorist Group (CTG) was recovered after an encounter with an Army unit of the Northern Luzon Command (NOLCOM) in the province of Isabela yesterday, August 7, 2018 (Tuesday).

The firefight erupted at 12:05 noon as the 95th Infantry Battalion (95IB) of 502nd Brigade, under the Joint Task Force (JTF) “TALA” of the 5th Infantry Division, engaged the New People’s Army (NPA) in Brgy San Miguel, Echague, Isabela.

The CTG, comprising of about twenty (20) NPA members, scampered for their survival after an hour and a half of firefight.

NAVAL STATION JOSE ANDRADA, Roxas Blvd, Manila (DWDD) – A delegation from the Defense Services Command and Staff College (DSCSC) Class 12 of Sri Lanka renders courtesy call on August 06 at the Headquarters Philippine Navy at Naval Station Jose Andrada in Manila where they were received by the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Erick A. Kagaoan AFP.

The group is in the country till August 14 as part of their Overseas Study Tour. NPAO / MCAG